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Original poster

Help me, running/cycling experts!

20 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 20/09/2006 14:23

Ok, I've been running, off and on, for a few years now. Not very fast, not very much, but whatever.

Now, I find myself having to do two (and sometimes four!) fast 20-minute bike rides per day. I'm really hurrying for at least half of these rides (school run, running late), and I have at least one extra child on the bike.

I'm finding I'm running slower, and wanting to run less often. I suspect my aerobic fitness is improving (it has to, right?), but I'd like to keep running, really.

Last Friday was my first try at doing four 20-minute rides, and I was completely knackered, and kinda blown for the weekend. Is that normal? If I persevere, will it improve?

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 20/09/2006 18:56

Bump?

OP posts:
paddingtonbear1 · 28/09/2006 09:10

Hi NQC, not an expert but didn't want to ignore your post! I'm a cyclist who for the past couple of years concentrated on running instead. I did the London Marathon this year and had dodgy knees for a while afterwards, so I went back to my bike. Now I find I don't really want to go running anymore - I prefer cycling again! I could do both but don't really have the inclination at the moment - maybe when it gets into winter I might go back to the gym. I cycle to work at the moment, which takes 1/2 hr each way, I much prefer this to driving. If you persevere with your cycling you'll definitely improve - I did, though it took a month or so for me to really notice! Running and cycling are quite different I find.

foxinsocks · 28/09/2006 09:26

I am a useless runner but a half decent cyclist (and swimmer). The more I get fit at cycling and swimming, the less able I am to run. I can barely make a mile running but could cycle and swim for yonks!

I know some people can do both but I find the big muscles I use in cycling (the quads on top of my leg - think that's the right name for them!) are useless for running and the muscles I need for running don't get developed in swimming or cycling iyswim!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 29/09/2006 21:55

Sorry, hadn't seen anyone had replied!

The muscles are totally different, or close to totally different. Which is probably good.

I have still been running lately, and biking 40+ minutes per day. But my neighbour has now gone on holiday, so I have two weeks of 80+ minutes of biking per day, unless I pay a nanny to do one school run per day (assuming the one I'm thinking of is willing!).

Last time I did the full 80+ minutes, I was ruined afterwards, but I did it today, and I feel ok. I guess the relevant muscles are getting built up, and I'm adjusting. I don't know whether I'll feel up to running this weekend.

Somehow, I never seem to take to cycling as a relaxation/exercise thing, for me it's always just a way to get from point a to point b.

OP posts:
lapsedrunner · 01/10/2006 19:45

Come and join us on the "Runners Rehomed" thread..there's lots of experience, advice & support available

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/10/2006 14:18

I should, I know, I've meant to for ages ... just ... I keep on top of knitting threads and rude sex question threads, running threads seems like a step too far, or something ...

Anyway, no running for me at the moment - I'm doing 4 x 20 minutes + 3 x 5 minutes of biking most days these days. The second of the four 20 minute sessions is pretty much right after the first, and is actually kinda pleasant.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 02/10/2006 14:19

Oh, ha ha, and I am getting a cold. Of course.

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nailpolish · 02/10/2006 14:25

i swim and cycle loads, on the road and in the gym (not swimming obv! )

im not good at running at all, i think its the impact i dont like IYSWIM

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 03/10/2006 07:21

I have good shoes, and only run on soft surfaces, not tarmac etc.

Weirdly, yesterday, I did 4x20, 3x5, and went out (briefly) for drinks in the evening, and actually was enjoying walking briskly, and wanted to do more of that. Wtf? I have a cold, I got soaked to the skin on my last 20, I am tired and so on, but I wanted more exercise.

Actually, on Friday, I am only doing 2x20, 3x5, so will want to run, but my normal time to run is right after when I'm doing 2x20 today. I might give it a go, anyway.

OP posts:
hub2dee · 03/10/2006 08:58

NQC - You're getting addicted to those endocrinological love juices that your body produces when exercising.... those endorphins...

Could you please tell me to get my fat ass onto my bike ? Thank you kindly.

Do you mind cycling in the rain btw ? I have a big psychological block to cycling in anything but 19 degrees fair weather type stuff... and those days are few and far between.

nailpolish · 03/10/2006 09:01

no to cycling in the rain

thats what the warm cosy gym is for

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 03/10/2006 09:53

Yeah, I know, I'm an endorphin junkie.

I am definately ill (cold, trachea pain), but biking ok.

I don't mind biking in the rain - it's not like it's ever actually cold here, so I just get on with it. DS1 was really moany about being cold and soaked yesterday (he'd left his school jumper in his gym kit), so I'll have to take more care with him.

OP posts:
lapsedrunner · 04/10/2006 19:40

NQC - you need to try Nordic Walking , have a look at www.nordicwalking.co.uk or www.nordicwalking .com

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 04/10/2006 20:57

Oh yes. Because that doesn't look silly.

Are you serious?

Today was my last day doing 95+ minutes of biking per day. I am officially starving to death, and eating loads, shocker.

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hatwoman · 04/10/2006 21:12

yes - the tiredness will go. I recently upped the amount I run and for the first two weeks I was permanently knackered - yawning and yawning - now I've upped it again but feel ok. It's just while you get used to the increased amount of exercise. It's a bit annoying in a way, cos when it comes to bed time I like taht knackeredness cos it sends me straight to sleep. Now I probably need to run twice as far to achieve it.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 04/10/2006 21:19

I did lots of riding on Friday, and all of this week so far, along with pretty crazy other stuff going on. And I feel ok. I'm thinking about increasing how much (or at least how often) I run, which I'm sure will be a shock (I haven't run for more than a week now!) but at least I'll keep the momentum up, exercise-wise ...

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plummymummy · 06/10/2006 16:03

I have just started running. Don't laugh but all I could manage last sunday was 15 minutes of slow jogging Anyway, today I bought some decent lightweight runners and I hope to step it up by 5 mins at a time. I am trying to get fit at the same time as trying to conceive. Is it ok to run while you're pregnant? I've heard different advice. I used to be fit before I had ds (2 yrs)and I'm not fat but my lady lumps could do with diminishing a little! My job is quite active so I'm not sitting on my bum all day.

paddingtonbear1 · 10/10/2006 15:05

plummymummy, I used to jog (gone back to cycling at the mo) and I did carry on when I got pregnant. Only did it for the first 3 months or so as I found it uncomfortable after that - I then switched to cycling, walking and swimming. I'm no Paula Radcliffe!
Have you seen her neat bump at 6 months pregnant?!

alligator · 10/10/2006 15:31

yes the cycling will def get easier. I've been back cycling to work now for just over a year and its no hassles now at all really, just part of the routine (its about 22 miles or so in all I reckon). But when I started blimey was I knackered by the end of the week and there was no way I was getting on a bike at the weekends. Now I'll quite happily do a leisurely 18 mile cycle on a Sunday (round trip to get dss home)and still be fine for Monday.
However I cant run for toffee and certainly would have difficulty sprinting for a bus or anything which most people find strange. Mind you I hate running so that doesnt help. Am happy to walk for miles instead.

plummymummy · 13/10/2006 09:55

3 months sounds impressive. Of course all this ambitious talk is dependent on me not getting SPD again (which is the reason I couldn't exercise during last pregnancy).

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